RESIDENTS spoke today of their shock and disgust after the latest sex attack in a leafy York suburb.

And some said they had decided to be much more careful when walking home alone at night.

The Evening Press reported on Saturday how a 17-year-old girl had been indecently assaulted in the early hours as she walked along a footpath from Rawcliffe Lake to Greystoke Road, in Rawcliffe.

The attacker ran off when a passing couple came to the teenager's aid after hearing her scream.

Police have advised women not to walk around the area alone, until they have caught the offender, who may also have been involved in two previous assaults in recent months.

One woman, walking near the lake today, told the Evening Press: "I think it's shocking. It's a terrible thing. I have been here during the day and never felt there was any problem."

Mandy Watson said her daughter sometimes took a short cut back through the area while returning home from ikon & diva nightclubs. But she had told her daughter to take more care after the previous attack.

"She gets herself a taxi. It's better to be safe," she said.

Another woman, who works at a local newsagent's shop, said there had been a real sense of shock on Saturday night when customers had come in to buy the Press and had seen the front page article.

The young woman, who did not wish to be identified, said that she sometimes took a short cut at night near the area where the attack happened.

"I will now walk the long way round," she said.

Another resident said more policemen on foot and cycle patrols were needed.

"We used to have a local policeman who would come round on his bike. Everybody knew him but now that has disappeared," he said.

Det Con Brian Redshaw, of North Yorkshire police, said: "We are still collating information on the incident and establishing possible links between this and other attacks.

"This is a very worrying and serious attack and we would advise females not to walk alone at night, especially in secluded areas."

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:42 Monday, July 02, 2001